Local group CORE [Cumbrians Opposed to a Radioactive Environment] has called on British Nuclear Group (BNG) to come clean about THORP’s revenues over the next few years. This follows the claim* that “THORP has a £12 billion order book” made by BNG and the Sellafield unions to the local media following the recent accident which has threatened to close down the plant for good.
CORE’s Campaign Coordinator Martin Forwood said:
” BNG is obviously as clumsy about THORP finances as it is with the plant’s liquor. £12 billion is the same old-hat figure that BNFL was hawking around in 1993 when they were fighting to get THORP open, and was based on the plant’s orderbook at that time. Today, 12 years on and with a majority of that order book (mostly from overseas customers) completed and largely paid for, there are relative peanuts left for the plant to earn “.
BNFL has failed to win any new overseas business to bolster THORP’s original orderbook. Instead, shortly after the plant’s start-up – business was lost when German utilities cancelled two contracts then valued at over one-third £Bn. Contracts for British Energy’s AGR fuel, which fill most of THORP’s remaining orderbook, are understood to have been agreed at a knock-down price following the rescue package agreed by Government to bail out British Energy from bankruptcy.
. Martin Forwood added today
“As new owners of THORP, the NDA will be quick to spot the dishonest use of the £12BN figure by BNG and the Unions as representing THORP’s current orderbook. With taxpayers money being used to prop up THORP, we have a right to know the real financial plight of the plant”.
* Whitehaven News 19/5/05, Whitehaven News Editorial 19/5/05, Carlisle Evening News & Star 19/5/05, Carlisle Evening News & Star 17/5/05